Liberty GM Explains Decision to Part Ways with Championship-Winning Coach Sandy Brondello
NEW YORK – New York Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb revealed the reasoning behind the teamS decision to fire head coach Sandy Brondello, a year after leading the franchise to its first WNBA championship. Kolb stated the move, following a Game 3 loss, was made to inject “freshness adn an energy” into a team anchored by stars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, and to continue “pushing the New York Liberty to new heights.”
Players initially backed Brondello after the defeat, but kolb emphasized the need for a shift in leadership. He explained the Liberty are taking their time in the search for a replacement, possessing a “very clear vision” of the qualities they seek in an ideal candidate, though specifics were withheld to avoid misinterpretation.
Kolb highlighted the importance of a coach with a strong understanding of “modern basketball principles on both sides of the ball.” Sources indicate the Liberty are considering candidates with NBA experience,and Kolb confirmed prior WNBA coaching experience isn’t a requirement. “I don’t think we want to limit our scope on a candidate,” he said. “We want to have a really diverse pool of candidates to speak with.”
The Liberty coaching position is viewed as an attractive opportunity due to the team’s recent success and the ownership’s commitment to investment. The institution boasts a larger front office staff, a focus on player experience, and is currently constructing a 75,000-square-foot practice facility slated to open in 2027.
Kolb noted a notable shift in the WNBA coaching landscape. ”Candidates are now looking at this league not as a stepping stone but as a destination,” he said, adding that the candidate pool is “vast.”
Brondello leaves as the Liberty’s all-time winningest coach and the first to deliver a WNBA title to the franchise. Kolb acknowledged her impact, stating, “I actually think Sandy did a good job navigating this group through uncharted waters, through injuries and a lack of availability, and we’ve got a great level of gratitude for Sandy Brondello the head coach.”
Ultimately, the Liberty are seeking a new voice to guide the team into its next chapter.
